THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: The long football journeys of friends Yankoff, Sirmon
When they were eighth graders, teams quarterbacked by Colson Yankoff and Jacob Sirmon squared off as part of an FBU (Football University) national tournament.
Yankoff was with Team Idaho, Sirmon with Team Washington.
“I remember playing him, he was really talented,” Sirmon recalled in July, at the Big Sky Football Kickoff media event at the Northern Quest Hotel and Casino in Airway Heights. “He was running around; he’s obviously an incredible athlete.”
Sirmon and Washington won that game, played at Eastside Catholic High in Sammamish, Wash. Washington advanced all the way to the national championship game before losing to Trevor Lawrence and Georgia.
Yankoff and Sirmon both ended up in the same recruiting class at the University of Washington, competing for the starting QB job before both eventually transferred — Yankoff to UCLA, where he was converted to wide receiver and then to his current position, running back, Sirmon to Central Michigan in 2021, then to the University of Northern Colorado last year.
This year, Sirmon has started the first two games for the Bears (0-2), who play at No. 23 Washington State (2-0) on Saturday in Pullman.
“I think everyone’s journey’s unique, but I think we’re both exactly where we need to be right now,” Sirmon said. “We both found different avenues to continue on. It’s weird how it all has a way of working out.”
YANKOFF AND Sirmon were roommates at the Elite 11 camp for high school quarterbacks, then teammates for a time in Montlake.
Sirmon said he considers Yankoff “one of my good friends.”
“I’ve been very lucky with my quarterback rooms, to have fierce competition, but also pretty close relationships off the field,” Sirmon said.
At Central Michigan, Sirmon played in five games, starting four, including a 295-yard performance vs. Missouri. Plus, he got to spend a season around popular CMU defensive coordinator Robb Akey, the former Washington State assistant and Idaho head coach, which is never a bad thing.
“He’s a great coach, great person to be around,” Sirmon said of Akey.
Last year at Northern Colorado, Sirmon appeared in seven games, throwing for 595 yards and four touchdowns.
“I wanted to be a little closer to home, I wanted to find somewhere I could find peace and joy in the game again, and the (Ed) McCaffrey staff did a great job of recruiting me, and being honest with me.”
This year, under a new coaching staff, the 6-5, 235-pound Sirmon is 31 of 59 for 220 yards and one touchdown with one interception in two games, both lopsided losses by Northern Colorado.
“I’ve really learned to appreciate every opportunity,” said Sirmon, whose Bears are scheduled to play host to Idaho on Nov. 4 in Greeley. “I have a lot of great memories from the University of Washington (from where he has graduated). I’m thankful to them; they definitely have many chapters in my life story so far.”
YANKOFF, MEANWHILE, has been at UCLA since 2019, after spending one season at Washington.
Last year, the 6-4, 225-pound Yankoff ran for 174 yards and a touchdown for the Bruins, and had seven receptions, two for TDs.
This year, in limited action, he has four carries for 19 yards and has added a new role, with three kickoff returns for 62 yards.
Yankoff and UCLA play host to Washington State on Oct. 7 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
“He’s one of the most athletic people I’ve ever met in my life,” Sirmon said of Yankoff. “I think he could be anywhere on the field, and have a role.
“I’m always rooting for him.”
Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @CdAPressSports.
